Plans for Greater Manchester ice arena and event space approved with 3,000 person capacity
Plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi‑use event space at TraffordCity in Manchester have been approved.
The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will feature ice skating and ice hockey facilities, and a flexible event space designed to host a wide range of entertainment and community activities.
The development’s anchor tenant will be Planet Ice and will become one of their largest venues in the UK.
It is located on the former Soccer Dome site, adjacent to The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY and The Padel Club.
The project is being developed by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters, which has cleared the site to enable future leisure developments.
The decision follows a strong period of momentum for the TraffordCity area, which is currently experiencing a wave of transformational development activity.
Work has now commenced on the £450m Therme Manchester wellness resort – a health and wellbeing destination set to include extensive indoor and outdoor pools, thermal experiences, botanical gardens, water-based family attractions, fitness and wellbeing facilities, and a diverse F&B offer.
Meanwhile, Trafford Waters Care Home, the first residential development within the emerging Trafford Waters neighbourhood within TraffordCity, has now completed.
With planning now secured for the TraffordCity Arena, Peel Waters is actively exploring further development opportunities for adjacent plots on the former Soccer Dome site. These could include high-end lifestyle hotels as well as other leisure and sporting experiences.
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: "Securing planning approval for the TraffordCity Ice Arena is fantastic news for the area. This is a significant step in delivering our vision for TraffordCity as a destination that offers something for everyone. The new arena will provide world-class ice facilities and enhance our growing portfolio of sport and leisure experiences; attracting new visitors, investment and employment opportunities to the region."
Nick Payne, director of ICITIES, added: "This approval allows us to move forward with creating a truly unique venue. Our design combines professional ice facilities with flexible spaces for non-ice events, ensuring the arena can serve a wide range of uses and audiences. The design includes approximately 20,000 sq. Ft of ancillary space for tenants offering complementary food, beverage and leisure facilities.”
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: "Trafford Council is committed to the regeneration of the area and this project will bring a number of important benefits to the borough including the creation of 50 permanent jobs.”
Heath Rhodes, chief operations manager at Planet Ice, added: "As Planet Ice enters its 30th year, we’re delighted to see planning permission granted for this landmark project. Demand for ice facilities in the North West continues to grow, and this arena will help meet that need while delivering first class amenities for visitors. TraffordCity is the perfect location, with excellent transport links and complementary leisure attractions.”